Within the body of Strategic Thinking and Research Foundation (SDAV), the Institute of Strategic Thinking (SDE) is a civil think tank which became one with the government and the people to shape the future’s Turkey in the context of domestic and foreign policy and it is based on common reason and collective responsibility.

In order to make a prediction about the historical course of the global world, to understand Turkey’s new foreign policy vision better in this world, to discuss its position in politics and its new developing strategic identity, there will be an international conference on “Changing Global Power Balances and Turkey”.

The conference will be held on October 6-7, 2010 at Dolmabahce Palace with the participation of Dear President Abdullah Gül and Dear Speaker of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey Mehmet Ali Şahin and at the conference the questions of where the world, which is seen to be at a certain historical juncture, is going and which position Turkey will hold in this new structure. We would be honored if you participate in our conference with your precious opinions.

Kind Regards,

Prof. Dr. Yasin AKTAY

The Institute of Strategic Thinking (SDE) Chairman

http://www.sde.org.tr/

APPENDIX

CHANGING GLOBAL POWER BALANCES AND TURKEY

While the humanity is entering the third millennium, fundamental dynamics dominating the world politics have been changing radically. The modern international system, which was established in the aftermath of the Second World War, is being redefined by the powerful and transformative effects of globalization today. The western hegemony that has been maintained by the economic efficiency, technological innovation and social development in the global arena in the last couple of centuries has been losing ground against increasing economic and political powers of the developing countries. On the one hand, the US and European countries are still suffering from the deep impacts of the financial crisis of 2008, and on the other hand a dozen of emerging powers with their high growth economies and greater willingness led by Brazil, Russia, India, and China to protect their political interests in the international arena have been increasingly shaking the geopolitical balance of the world. Especially the change in the USA administration gives the signals of a new world which is to be formed. 

Thus, how the future of strategic competition among great powers of the world will be shaped in general, and the roles and responsibilities that will be undertaken by regional powers in particular, have recently started a new wave of lively debate among politicians, academicians, diplomats and concerned public actors. Now the debate is more focused on the return of the history rather than the end of the history in a world where the alliances of civilizations instead of the clash of civilizations is put into words.

Among the new emerging actors, Turkey stands out with its unique geopolitical position, cultural identity and evolving new political vision in the world politics. In the time of redistribution of wealth and prosperity with globalization and while the world politics seems to be turning into a multi-polar structure, Turkey has started to surprise the international community with its comprehensive democratization reforms at home, its bold steps in the foreign policy and its initiatives. Turkey’s new active foreign policy, its diplomatic initiatives, and its ideas and projects on contributing to the world peace have caught the attention of the whole world.

Leading the project of the Alliance of Civilizations, rapprochement with Armenia and the policy on solving the problems, proposal for establishing a Caucasian Stability and Cooperation Pact, the role of a mediator between Iran and the West for the nuclear crisis, intervention into the Palestinian conflicts despite Israel’s opposition and undertaking a constructive role for establishing political stability in Iraq and Afghanistan, lifting visa requirements with a number of countries in the region, strategic initiatives on Africa, and non-permanent membership at the UN Security Council all can be read as the signs of emergence of  new Turkey as a global actor.

Turkey’s foreign policy activism, however, has also been creating some challenges and criticism inside and abroad. While Turkey has long been committed to EU membership as a part of its westernization policies, its strategic openness to the Middle East, Asia and Africa in the last decade creates a new debate whether Turkey is shifting its foreign policy axis from west to the east. Furthermore, Turkey’s high activism and strong performance in all neighboring regions bear some political risks, as well. Thus, while the rise of Turkey is reshaping the balance of power in its regions, Turkey’s foreign policy initiatives also face some opposition and resistance from global and regional powers, as exemplified in the cases of Iran and Gaza issues.    

Moreover, Turkey’s increasing activism and high performance in the foreign policy have brought along some problems and criticisms. As a part of Turkey’s westernization policies, on the one hand Turkey has been trying to an EU member for a long time and on the other hand, it has made strategic expansions to the Middle East, Asia, and Africa for the last decade. And this situation brings the discussions on “Has Turkey’s foreign policy turned its attention from the west to the east?”into question. Besides, it is realized that Turkey’s gradually increasing activism and visibility in its near surrounding bear some political risks. As a matter of fact, Turkey’s development has been reshaping the power balances in its region; yet some initiatives Turkey developed in the foreign politics encounter global and regional resistance and opposition as it is seen in the examples of Iran and Gaza.

Click here for the conference schedule…